After eight eventful days in Switzerland, Baselworld 2015 came to a close this week. With over 150,000 attendees and 1,500 brands shown, the trade show maintained its reputation as the most influential event in the watch and jewelry industry.
For luxury watch brands like Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Patek Philippe, Baselworld is the most essential event for brands to connect with buyers, partners and the press. According to Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, this year’s show was “an excellent edition that was really successful in terms of numbers and the interest in our products from retailers and the press.”
In fact, press attendance was up 7.5% from 2014, and the show saw strong coverage from international financial press, lifestyle publications, trade magazines and bloggers. Below, we’ve compiled the most buzzed about launches and the biggest product releases of the week. Read on for our personal take on crowd favorites.
Rolex Day-Date 40
Boasting a contemporary look and feel, the new Rolex Day-Date 40 features laser-etched details, in addition to an improved mechanical 3255 movement, which offers unprecedented accuracy. The Rolex Day-Date 40 will be available in 18k yellow, white gold, Everose gold and our personal favorite, the 950 platinum, which features a stunning waffle-esque dial pattern. Retail price will be about $62,185 for Platinum, $37,352 for the Everose, $34,645 for yellow gold, and $37,358 for white gold. We anticipate these new models will be a commercial success.
Rolex Yacht-Master Everose
Our pick for the best new model launch of the year (which is why we already covered it last week), the Rolex Yacht-Master in Everose gold features the brand’s new “Oysterflex” bracelet. Designed with “a patented longitudinal cushion system,” a black Cerachrom bezel insert and an 18 ct Everose gold Oysterlock clasp, the watch is sporty, durable and ergonomic. It will be available in both 40mm and 37mm sizes. The 40mm, at $24,950, and the 37mm will be priced at $22,000.
Rolex 39 mm Oyster Perpetual
Available in five different case sizes, The Oyster Perpetual is a quintessential “entry-level” Rolex at an appropriate price of $5,700. Though the new 39mm size is nothing spectacular compared to other models, the style is versatile, and the new color dials are fresh.
Tudor Pelagos 25600TB Blue
Blue was a huge color trend at Baselworld this year, and Tudor’s Pelagos 25600TB was a much talked about iteration. It consists of Tudor’s new in-house made mechanical movement, also seen on the Tudor North Flag (see below). Reasonably prices at $4,300. While the classic Tudor look is appealing, we would have liked to see design with a more vintage-inspired, heritage feel.
Tudor North Flag 91210N
As Tudor has reentered into the western markets over the past few years, it’s relied on outdoorsy watches, seen here in the North Flag, inspired by timepieces used on the British North Greenland expedition of the early 1950s. We congratulate Tudor on its first “in-house” made movement, the Calibre MT5621, but this watch doesn’t hold up to the $3550 price tag.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711R
Patek loyalists will love the Nautilus in striking solid rose gold. Featuring the brand’s “Jumbo” albeit smaller scale size, lightweight bracelet and brown dial shift (which changes color in the light), the watch is priced at $51,000.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G
Also appealing to Patek’s core audience, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time has a vintage appeal, inspired by the pilots of the 1930s. With a 42 mm white gold case, brown calfskin strap and white-gold pin buckle, the timepiece will surely resonate with the modern man. Priced at $47,600. Ideal for frequent travellers, the watch offers two different hands to indicate “home time” and “local time.” When not travelling, the second hand conveniently and intuitively tucks under the “home time” hand.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph 5905P
Arguably the best watch Patek has made in years, this watch ticks off all the boxes— the case, the dial, the markers, and the movement. It features a 42mm platinum case, wear-free disk clutch and three apertures between 10:00 and 2:00, indicating day, date, and month. Pricing is in line with similar styles, hovering around $78,000.
Baselworld was a huge success. We expect nothing less for the next year to stun the watch fans of the world.
For more information or to browse our selection, click here for to browse Bob’s Watches Rolex watch collection.
